Systems and methods for distributing personalized information over a communications system

ABSTRACT

A system for distributing information over communications systems comprising a question database, a solution database, a set of protocols, a user information system, a selecting system, and a filtering system. The question database contains questions related to the information to be distributed. The solution database contains solution elements related to the information to be distributed. The set of protocols links at least one of the questions in the question database with at least one of the solution elements in the solution database. The user information system allows a user to enter user data related to the user. The selecting system allows the user to select one or more questions from the question database to generate a set of selected questions. The filtering system generates a customized list of solution elements based on the selected questions, the set of protocols, and the user data such that the customized list of solution elements contains at least one solution element specifically related to the user.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 60/188,932 filed on Mar. 9, 2000, and 60/188,670filed on Mar. 11, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to the distribution of informationover a communications system such as the internet and, morespecifically, to a dynamic information system that employs aninteractive computer program that selects and provides a customized setof responses tailored to a particular combination of answers toquestions contained in a questionnaire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Real-world life is complex, and situations requiring informationoften involve multiple questions or problems. When information ispresented on-line, this information is usually presented as a static“library” of content and information. Such static systems do not allowthe performance of services and/or presentation of information to betailored to a user's unique requirements. These systems do not fullyexploit the capacity of communications systems such as the internet tosort, integrate, collate, and/or prioritize the best of multiplesolution possibilities from multiple sources into simple steps tailoredfor and easily implemented by any customer. These systems also do notteach each user accessing the information about practical andself-directed actions to improve their life and enhance their knowledgein their specific areas of interest and thereby further today's trendtowards self-education and empowerment.

[0004] Accordingly, it is a goal of the present invention to obtainimproved systems and methods for distributing information over acommunications system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is preferably a system for distributinginformation over communications systems comprising a question database,a solution database, a set of protocols, a user information system, aselecting system, and a filtering system. The question database containsquestions related to the information to be distributed. The solutiondatabase contains solution elements related to the information to bedistributed. The set of protocols links at least one of the questions inthe question database with at least one of the solution elements in thesolution database. The user information system allows a user to enteruser data related to the user. The selecting system allows the user toselect one or more questions from the question database to generate aset of selected questions. The filtering system generates a customizedlist of solution elements based on the selected questions, the set ofprotocols, and the user data such that the customized list of solutionelements contains at least one solution element specifically related tothe user.

[0006] The present invention may thus be implemented as systems andmethods that take multiple questions within one field of endeavor andrespond with a customized set of solution elements that make practicalsense and have additive value when used together.

[0007] Real-world life is complex, and in any situation requiringinformation there are usually multiple questions or problems to besolved. Accordingly, rather than a static “library” of content andinformation, the systems and methods of the present invention yield adynamic internet resource behaving like an interactive book that tailorsits content to the customer's particular set of requests. The presentinvention may be applied to any area of expertise, and is particularlysuited to, though not limited to, self-directed activities for which thecustomer seeks practical guidance and information to proceed—e.g.cooking, gardening, car repair.

[0008] The system of the present invention may be implemented by a listof frequently-asked questions. For each question a “Protocol” iscompiled and stored. The Protocol consists of the most effective and/orpopular solutions in the field of endeavor associated with each of thequestions. Using a Questionnaire, the customer can select and submitquestions. Based on the “Protocols”, the program first retrieves thecomponent solutions for each question, which are weighted in the system.These solutions may then be filtered by sorting, collating, andprioritizing according to weighting, and the program selects those withthe highest cumulative weighting (those most relevant to the group ofquestions), and eliminates those with least weighting.

[0009] The customer is then presented with a customized set of the bestanswers to cover the particular combination of questions they selected.Purely educational background material may also be presented to theuser. The program then walks the customer through how to implement thesesolutions, step by step, including practical action such as completerecipes, geographically local resources, and links to online stores andresearch and commercial sites, etc. The customer's data is storedsecurely, so that over sequential site visits they can receive relatedor more advanced material as their requirements evolve and change.

[0010] The benefits of the present invention may include one or more ofthe following:

[0011] The present invention implements a holistic philosophy thatincludes and aggregates different philosophies and approaches. Forexample, a fish recipe may be accompanied with—or have links to—proteinand calorie analysis, a Chinese medicine perspective on health benefitsof ingredients, a history of the recipe's origin, and a myth aboutsymbolism of the fish image.

[0012] The information stored and distributed using the systems andmethods of the present invention is personalized. The focus is on thecustomer, not the topics. Instead of a “library” of impersonalinformation on each separate topic, the content offered at each sitevisit is selected and tailored precisely to fit the individualrequest—like a personal guidebook, that changes as the customer'srequests change. For example, in the context of a menu creation systemimplementing the principles of the present invention, a customerrequiring “Pacific Northwest” style and “Rapid Preparation”. The programwalks the user through learning more and implementing therecommendations in a very practical “how-to” way.

[0013] By integrating information and the replies to multiple questions,a cohesive and multi-faceted yet also streamlined response is delivered.One single solution may satisfy more than one problem, for instance arecipe may be both vegetarian and Pacific Northwest style. The systemeliminates overlap and irrelevancies, and selects and prioritizes thebest combination of answers to most effectively address all intereststhe customer inputs.

[0014] The present invention may be implemented as a system or methodthat is independent of any one commercial company, product line, method,philosophy or school. While it may offer links to a variety of highquality informational or commercial sites, to enable the customer toeasily and knowledgeably implement recommendations, the prime objectiveis to offer personalized education and information.

[0015] The present invention may be implemented as an educational, notdiagnostic, tool. The customer is expected to responsibly investigateany persistent concerns—from nutritional to automobile—and to monitorthe effectiveness of action taken based on information provided.Agreement with a Disclaimer may be required before proceeding to receiveinformation. The program can teach about practical, safe measures likelyto help each unique situation, and can offer detailed guidance to startand use them, but does not prescribe or assume responsibility for thecustomer's actions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention can be embodied in a number of differentforms, and several of these will be described in detail herein. Thefollowing examples are to be considered illustrative of the scope of thepresent invention, but the scope of the present invention is notrestricted by these examples.

[0017] I. Menu Creation Examples

[0018] One customer may want a menu that is (a) Vegetarian, and (b) hasa Pacific Northwest theme, and (c) can be made in less than one hour. AHome Cooking website using the systems and methods of the presentinvention may have a Database of recipes. “Vegetarian”, “PacificNorthwest”, and “Rapid-Preparation” Protocols would include the highestrated and most widely-favored recipes for the category. There may beoverlap, for instance a recipe may be both quick and also vegetarian. Atthe customer's request, the individual recipes linked to the questions“Vegetarian”, “Pacific Northwest” and “Rapid Preparation” will beretrieved. Each recipe is weighted according to, perhaps, howcharacteristically Northwest or how fast to prepare it is.

[0019] The program then adds their weightings, giving most weight torecipes appearing more than once, and prioritizes and collates. Thecustomer is presented with a menu, from hors d'oeuvre to dessert,featuring the recipes that satisfy all their requirements to thegreatest degree. Rather than having to look through one book onvegetarian cooking, another on Northwest food, and yet another on quickmeals, this program synthesizes a personalized “cookbook” to answer thiscustomer's particular set of requests. Another customer may want a menuthat is quick and in Pacific Northwest style, but also features fish.Here the recipes linked to “Northwest” and “Rapid Preparation” willagain be retrieved, along with “Fish” recipes, resulting in a somewhatdifferent customized menu.

[0020] The present invention is preferably implemented as a web site orcollection of web sites available over the internet, and that examplewill be described in detail below. The present invention may, however,be embodied in the context of other communications systems.

[0021] Upon entering a web site implementing the present invention inthe context of a menu creation example, the user will initially bepresented with a Home and Introduction page. The Home and Introductionpage will give provide general information to the user, perhaps saying:“Who We Are and What We Do . . . ”, followed by a description of theparticular business or service. The Home and Introduction will typicallyexplain to the user how the web site generally operates. In particular,this Home and Introduction page will state that the web site willgenerate, in response to the user's particular combination of questionsand interests, a “Custom Book” containing the most effective, easy andrelevant solutions to cover all the customer's questions. The user willthen be presented with a button, perhaps labeled “Click to proceed’,which leads to a second page entitled the Questionnaire page.

[0022] On the questionnaire page, the user is presented with a firstquestionnaire. The first questionnaire includes boxes to check to allowthe user to input relevant personal characteristics such as timeavailable to cook, level of cooking experience, and other variables.Next the user is presented with a second or main questionnairecontaining the list of questions for which expert information isavailable, such as “Fish recipes”, “Vegetarian recipes”, or “PacificNorthwest recipes”. For each question selected, there will, in upcomingversions of the invention, be a second or even third tier of questions(e.g. “Vegetarian” with emphasis on (i) leafy greens, or (ii)casseroles), allowing several steps to narrow down the question,providing more specific answers. The customer selects questions byclicking on boxes, icons, or images. Perhaps 30-40 choices may bepresented in an initial version of the invention, then more added assystem develops.

[0023] A button, again perhaps labeled “Click to proceed” will then beclicked, leading the user to a third page entitled “To Open Your CustomBook (abbr. herein as “CB”). The user is presented with the outsidecover of their “Custom Book”, perhaps as a graphic with their first nameon, and asked “Would you like to open it?” If they click on a buttonsaying “Yes”, the next paragraph may include one or more thresholdrequirements such as a payment method and/or disclaimer. For example,the user may be presented with one or more panels labeled andimplemented as follows:

[0024] “There is an $$ (x)dollar fee for this personalized informationservice”—and boxes are shown to enter credit card information, whichmust be validated to continue the program

[0025] DISCLAIMER box must be checked: e.g. “The information on thiswebsite should not in any way be used as a substitute for the advice ofa professional. Neither our expert team or guest contractors shall beliable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damagecaused, or alleged to be have been caused, directly or indirectly by theinformation or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced on this website. We offer an educational service only. While we understandeverything presented on this site to be completely safe, we recommendyou consult a professional”

[0026] Links can then be provided to the appropriate referral sources.

[0027] Once all boxes are satisfactorily filled in, the completedquestionnaire is submitted and the program sorts, collates, organizesand prioritizes answers to the user's unique combination of inquiries.The program then gathers this information into what may be referred toas a Custom Book.

[0028] The program next proceeds to a fourth page, perhaps entitled“Custom Book”. The first “Chapter” will reveal a customized list of thesolutions that together are most effective for all the questions asked.The customer is given many helpful tips in a warm and personal tone. Thecustomer's data, questions and “Custom Book” solutions are securelystored. At return visits to the site the customer can input newinformation or requests, and (perhaps for fee) turn to the next chapterof their “CB”, thus building upon their knowledge.

[0029] The customized list of solutions presented in the “Custom Book”is made up of several selected individual solutions such as recipes(exact number to be determined by the website adopting this system).Each individual solution is a piece of information that will be referredto herein as a “Solution Element” in the Database. The Solution Elementsare linked to the Questions in what is referred to herein as a Protocol.In the present example, the Protocol associates Questions, which arecategories of food such as vegetarian or Pacific Northwest, withSolution Elements, which are recipes that fall within the category offood. The Protocols may associate one Solution Element with more thanone Question; that is, a recipe may be categorized as both vegetarianand Pacific Northwest. The Protocols may also associate more than oneSolution Element with each Question; that is, more than one the SolutionElements or recipe may be associated with a specific Question or cookingcategory.

[0030] The program eliminates duplication and presents the customer witha customized list of the Solution Elements, selected by weighting, thatmost strongly correspond to all selected Questions. In particular, thecustomized list of Solution Elements is the result of the programretrieving and prioritizing Solution Elements linked by the Protocols tothe plurality of selected Questions. The present invention thus filtersthe total list of Solution Elements to a customized list of SolutionElements based on the overlap between Protocols associated with theselected Questions and/or weightings associating the Solution Elementsmore or less strongly with selected Questions.

[0031] The fact that a given Solution Element or recipe is identified bymore than one Protocol to the selected Questions will increase thelikelihood that the given Solution Element will be included in thecustomized list of Solution Elements. Instead or in addition, theProtocols may include weighted scores that more or less stronglyassociate the Solution Elements with a given Question. In this case, thecustomized list of Solution Elements will be constructed using theweighted scores to obtain recipes that strongly satisfy the requirementsassociated with the selected Questions.

[0032] The process of generating the customized list of SolutionElements based either on overlapping Protocols or on the weighted scoresdefined within the Protocols will be referred to herein as filtering.

[0033] As an example of this embodiment of the present invention, acustomer requesting food categories such as Fish and Pacific Northwestand Rapid Preparation (Questions) will receive recipes (SolutionElements) linked by Protocols to each of those three food categories.Using the concept of overlapping Protocols, the system will selectrecipes that are linked by the Protocols to two or even all threecustomer food category requests. Using the concept of weighting, thesystem will give preference to recipes that are weighted more heavily.For this example, the user's “Custom Book” presents a customized list ofSolution Elements in the form of a menu containing the followingrecipes:

[0034] Red kale and smoked salmon salad

[0035] Wild salmon with Fiddlehead fern

[0036] Garlic spaghetti with fresh basil and parsley

[0037] Pacific fusion portobello & shiitake mushrooms

[0038] Baked Oregon pears in brandy

[0039] The recipes in this customized list are each identified by two ormore protocols and are the highest-weighted from the Fish, PacificNorthwest, and Rapid Preparation as indicated by the following table.The recipe Solution Elements in the following table implements a simpleweighting system: an asterisk (*) indicates recipes that are morestrongly associated by a Protocol with a given food category. QUESTIONSPROTOCOLS of SOLUTION ELEMENTS FISH RECIPES Wild salmon with Fiddleheadfern Chinese prawns with ginger Baked Alaskan cod in sweet onion sauceBroiled garlic snapper Tuna and leek stir-fry PACIFIC NORTHWEST Pacificfusion portobello & shiitake RECIPES mushrooms Traditional Washingtonbannock bread Red kale and smoked salmon salad Organic blueberry icecream RAPID-PREPARATION Ruby carrot and beet soup RECIPES Bok choi andginger stir-fry with chicken strips Garlic spaghetti with fresh basiland parsley Baked Oregon pears in brandy VEGETARIAN RECIPE Barley andwild rice tabouli PROTOCOL Golden Harvest squash soup Lentil-tarragonpate Northwest blackberry sorbet

[0040] The details of the software program underlying any givenimplementation of the present invention are not critical, and thefollowing example of such a software program in the context of a menucreation system is not intended to restrict the scope of the presentinvention.

[0041] The following terminology will be used in the followingdiscussion of the software program that underlies this embodiment of thepresent invention: Term Definition Question (Q) a situation, need, orchallenge for which customers seek personalized information and guidanceSolution one single measure, such as (but not limited to) a recipe,Element or a planting schedule for a home gardener tailored to (SE)season and geographical location Link a connection from a “Question” toa “SE”’; each link has a different weighting Protocol a group of “SE”slinked to each Question, and retrieved in response to submission of thatQuestion

[0042] The following components will be used in the following discussionof the software program that underlies this embodiment of the presentinvention: Component Description web site conventional. Web Serverconventional; used to format and deliver pages to the customer at thewebsite. Dynamic to act like a “search engine and filter in one”. Couldbe Server located on Web Server or on separate machine. Databasecontains: (1) Questions (with information sentences attached, e.g.benefits of a vegetarian diet, or the history of planting by mooncycles, etc); (2) Solution Elements (also with information sentencesattached, e.g. where to purchase ingredients or supplements); (3)Protocols linking Solution elements to Questions, possibly includingweighted Links

[0043] The exemplary Menu Creation System will preferably be implementedusing the following procedures.

[0044] Initially, at the web site, the customer (user), who is someonevisiting site wanting information tailored to their request, fills outpersonal information and selects a UserName & password to allow futureaccess to own confidential data.

[0045] The user is next presented with a dynamic page of 30-40 personalquestions (no limit on future number as invention evolves) relevant tothe personal information entered by the customer is presented at thewebsite. Incompatible combinations of questions are disallowed (e.g. arequest for both Vegetarian and Beef recipes for one individual).

[0046] The user is then prompted to select one or more Questions forwhich they want a customized list of the best solutions. Selection ismade at the website by clicking buttons or icons or drop-down boxes.Optional in future developments of invention, further icons/clicks will(maybe at return visit to site) take user to 2nd or 3rd tier ofquestions, for more focus, e.g. low-fat Fish recipes.

[0047] The selected “Questions”, together with all the customer'spersonal information, are submitted to the WebServer and Dynamic Server,which check for, and eliminate, conflicts in questions (e.g. Vegetarianand Beef recipes for same individual.

[0048] The WebServer utilizes an underlying database connectivitylayer—i.e. “talks” to a sub-program at the Dynamic Server—to construct aquery, including ALL customer's selected “Questions” and personalinformation. This query is then sent to the Database.

[0049] In response to the query from the WebServer/Dynamic server, theDatabase recognizes and retrieves the “Solution Elements”. These “SE”sare collated and prioritized based upon the weighting of links thatretrieved them, and other factors currently in development. The Databasecould also eliminate duplication and ensure some form of conflictresolution so that conflicting “SE”s would not be presented to customer.There would be “Prohibitive links” in the Database to “SolutionElements” disallowed, e.g. beef soup could not be retrieved forvegetarian customer. The weights of “SE”s are then added and arecumulative.

[0050] The weighted and collated “SE”s are then sent back to the DynamicServer/WebServer, to format and create a dynamic web page.).Alternatively Active Server Pages may be implemented.

[0051] The result (containing all the “Solution Elements” for thiscustomer, ranked according to weighting) is presented as the “CustomBook” at the website.

[0052] All personalized data associated with a particular user andstored in the Database server for easy retrieval at a later time.

[0053] As an alternative to or enhancement of the first embodiment, each“Solution Element” bears several tags, each of different weighting andeach tag corresponding to one “Question”. When a “Question” is includedin a query, the Database will retrieve all the “SE”s with acorresponding tag. The weightings of the “SE”s are additive according tothe score on their tags. In the response presented to the customer,those with strongest cumulative weighting are given highest priority.This alternative weighting process is represented in Appendix 1 attachedhereto.

[0054] II. Holistic Health Education Examples

[0055] The present invention may also be implemented as an interactivecomputer program and internet system linked to a commercial web site,providing customized step-by-step holistic health education. Rather thana static “library” of content and information, this is a dynamicinternet resource that behaves like an interactive book that tailors itscontent to the customer's particular set of requests. For each healthcondition addressed, a health education system of the present inventionpresents the best natural health approaches (solutions)—including diet,vitamins, safe herbs—our “Protocols”.

[0056] The health education system may begin with a Questionnairerequesting information about the user. The user then queries the systemfor health concerns. In response to the user's particular combination ofhealth questions, our program sorts and prioritizes the solutions, whichare weighted in our system, and selects those with highest cumulativeweighting for all queried health conditions. The customer is presentedwith a customized set of answers—a thorough and simple list of the mosteffective alternative health measures (in widespread use) that ingeneral best help all the health concerns they ask about. Educationalbackground material relevant to the protocols may be presented to theuser.

[0057] The health education system then walks the customer through howto implement these measures, including meal plans, local storeaddresses, links to research & commercial sites, etc. The customer'sinformation is stored securely, so that over sequential site visits,their education can progress as their requests and results evolve.

[0058] A health education system as described in this embodiment of thepresent invention provides one or more of the following benefits to theuser.

[0059] The health education system is takes a holistic approach thatincludes diet, herbs, vitamins, mind-body approaches, and practicalguidelines for obtaining thorough medical evaluation. The system can belinked to scientific studies and natural medicine philosophies of Eastand West.

[0060] The health education system is personalized to a particular user.The focus is thus on the user, not the ailment, resulting in a healthresource particularly addressing the user's situation. Instead of a“library” of impersonal information on each separate health topic, thecontent offered at each site visit is selected & tailored precisely tofit the individual request—like a personal alternative health guidebook,that changes as the customer's requests change. The simplest measuresthat help most people most often, derived from our experts' clinicalexperience and extensive research experience, are presented as aneminently user-friendly list. The program walks the user throughlearning more and implementing the changes in a very practical “How-To”way.

[0061] The health education system of this embodiment integratesinformation on multiple health concerns. Many alternative measures, fromdiet changes to herbs, are invaluable to prevent or help more than onehealth condition. Unlike specialty sites or books on only ONE condition,our system eliminates overlap and irrelevancies, and selects andprioritizes the best combination of alternative health measures to mosteffectively address all health concerns the customer inputs, e.g. highcholesterol and enlarged prostate problems and acid reflux.

[0062] The exemplary health education system need not be affiliated withany one commercial company, product line, healthcare method, philosophyor school. While it may offer links to a variety of high qualityinformation or commercial sites, to enable the customer to easily andknowledgeably implement health changes, the prime objective is to offerpersonalized education & information.

[0063] A health education system of the present invention iseducational, not diagnostic. This system of the present inventionexpects the customer to responsibly investigate any symptoms and monitorhealth improvements, and agreement with a Disclaimer is necessary toproceed to receiving information. The site can TEACH about the simple,SAFE measures most likely to help each unique situation, and offerdetailed guidance to start and use them.

[0064] A health education system of the present invention thus:

[0065] provides an easy internet tool available in every living roomgiving users everywhere customized information tailored to their uniquehealth concerns;

[0066] consolidates the best of alternative health measures into simplesteps that anyone can easily do to improve their health;

[0067] enables every person of any age to easily and pleasurably includesafe natural health measures in daily life, to help prevent illness andenhance health and productivity, and feeling of wellbeing;

[0068] empowers and teaches each customer about self-care and practicaltools for maximizing health—from diet changes to knowledge about theirbodies, thereby furthering today's trend towards patient-directedhealthcare, self-education and prevention.

[0069] The present invention is preferably implemented as a websiteaccessible over the internet. The web site contains a sequence of pagesas described below.

[0070] Upon entering the web site, the user enters a first page referredto as the Home and Introduction page. The Home and Introduction page maycontain the following introduction:

[0071] “Who We Are and What We Do . . . Hallo and welcome to your onlinepersonalized alternative health guide, a teaching center providing youwith customized information in reply to your individual requests.Starting here, we will walk you through the most effective and easyalternative approaches for your own unique combination of healthquestions—This is the alternative health guide tailored to you. Weoffer:

[0072] A customized guide describing the very best combination of simplemeasures to cover ALL your key health requests, easy to start and use indaily life

[0073] Our information is distilled from our highly trained consultants'years of clinical experience and from extensive research of the bestcomplementary health COMBINATIONS that really work in practice for manycommon conditions

[0074] You may truly benefit from Naturopathic Medicine if you have:

[0075] women's health concerns at any age, from PMS to menopausalsymptoms

[0076] fatigue or immune problems

[0077] men's health and prostate concerns

[0078] digestive and eating disorders, constipation

[0079] high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure

[0080] anxiety, insomnia, depression

[0081] sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, respiratory problems

[0082] osteoporosis, arthritis, skin symptoms

[0083] We'll tell you about:

[0084] FOODS to eat more often and explain their health benefits, mealplans for eating in or out; quick delicious recipes for each healthconcern, & shopping lists—drawing upon Western, Chinese and Ayurvedictraditions

[0085] VITAMINS and MINERALS in most absorbable forms with safe dailydoses

[0086] HERBS of West and East, with safe-use tips, and how they work toencourage your body to repair itself

[0087] MIND-BODY HEALTH: from daily walking to mindfulness andmeditation, simple measures specific to each health concern to soothebody and mind

[0088] BOOKS most relevant, lively, and informative for your healthinterests

[0089] NATURAL HORMONES including gynecological & thyroid hormones, thatyou may want to ask your doctor about, biologically identical to thoseour bodies produce; individually prescribed for menstrual, menopausal,and fatigue symptoms

[0090] “ASK YOUR DOCTOR”, our recommendations for check-ups, the mostvaluable tests to monitor the health concerns you are learning about,and remedies you and your doctor may want to consider”

[0091] The Introduction Page then explains how to use the site: inresponse to the user's particular combination of health questions andinterests, a Custom Health Book will be generated, containing the mosteffective & easy alternative care steps to cover all the customer'shealth concerns. The user will then click a button labeled “Click toproceed” and then be linked to second page entitled the “Questionnaire”.

[0092] On the Questionnaire page, the user is presented with anIntroductory Questionnaire, with boxes to check to describe gender, agegroup, height, weight, preferred activity level, and many othervariables. Next is a list of health conditions for which expertinformation is available. For each health condition selected, there MAYin subsequent versions of the invention be a second or even third tierof questions (e.g. PMS with choice of (i) physical symptoms, or (ii)mood changes), thus 2-4 steps to narrow down the health question, togive more specific answers.

[0093] The Questionnaire page also presents a list of general healthconcerns from which the user selects specific health concerns ofrelevance. The customer selects by clicking on boxes, icons, or images.More health concerns may be added to the list as system develops.Examples of health conditions include, but are not limited to:

[0094] High cholesterol

[0095] CardioVascular protection

[0096] Prostate enlargement (benign)

[0097] PMS

[0098] Menopause symptoms

[0099] Food cravings

[0100] Heartburn, acid reflux

[0101] Irritable Bowel Syndrome

[0102] Allergies

[0103] Acne

[0104] Eczema

[0105] Sinusitis

[0106] Asthma

[0107] The user then proceeds to page 3, which may be entitled “To OpenYour Custom Health Book”: (abbr . . . herein as “CHB”). The exemplaryhealth education system then sorts, collates, organizes and prioritizesanswers to the user's unique combination of inquiries, and gathers thisinformation into a “Custom Health Book”. The user is presented with theoutside cover of this “book”, perhaps as a graphic with his/her firstname on, and asked “Would you like to open it?”

[0108] If the user clicks on a button saying “Yes”, the next paragraphsays and may contain the following requests for payment and/ordisclaimers:

[0109] “There is an $$ (x) dollar fee for this personalized teachingservice”—and boxes to enter credit card information, which must bevalidated to continue the program

[0110] DISCLAIMER box must be checked: “The information on this websiteshould not in any way be used as a substitute for the advice of aphysician or other licensed health care practitioner. Our expert teamand guest contractors shall not be liable or responsible to any personor entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have beencaused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained,suggested, or referenced on this web site. We offer an educationalservice only. While we understand everything presented on this site tobe completely safe, we recommend you consult a licensed NaturopathicPhysician or M.D. before using any alternative remedies”

[0111] Links can then be offered to the American Association ofNaturopathic Physicians and other referral sources.

[0112] Once all boxes are satisfactorily filled in, the user thenproceeds to page four, which may be entitled “Your Custom Health Book”.Within seconds, a graphic appears showing a book cover opening. Thefirst “Chapter” (of the user's healing story) will reveal a list of thealternative health measures that are together most effective for ALL theconditions the user asked about. The user is given many helpful tips ina warm and personal tone for understanding the health conditions askedabout, for what to expect from natural health measures, and taught thathealth improves gradually, step by step, over days and weeks and months.Every 4 (??) weeks s/he can return, input progress & new healthinformation or requests, and (for fee) turn to the next chapter ofhis/her “CHB”.

[0113] The health steps provided in the “CHB”, derived from ourProtocols and matched to the user's selections, will includeapproximately 12-15 Solution Elements (exact number to be determined assystem develops), usually with at least one dietary measure, one vitaminor mineral item, one herb. Each Solution Element is ONE of the followingexamples (NOT an exhaustive list):

[0114] A FOOD to REDUCE—with weekly maximums & delicious substitutessuggested: Alcohol, coffee, red meat . . . etc

[0115] A FOOD to eat OFTEN such as Soy, fish, salad . . . oats, ginger .. . green tea

[0116] with amounts & frequencies

[0117] weekly menus, shopping lists

[0118] links to an on-line RECIPE BOOK (with static or videoillustrations)

[0119] maybe links to online healthfood stores and groceries

[0120] A VITAMIN or A MINERAL (or formula)

[0121] e.g. Vitamin X 600-750 once daily with food

[0122] Vitamin Y 2 mg each morning

[0123] Mineral Z: 40 mg twice daily, best between meals

[0124] An HERB such as Hawthorn or Saw Palmetto or Black Cohosh

[0125] with amounts, timing during day, best features to look for onlabels, etc

[0126] Links to several online supplement/herb stores orbrands—product-INDEPENDENT

[0127] LINK: to site with information on Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions

[0128] A MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLEMENT

[0129] e.g. Flax seed oil capsules

[0130] CoEnzyme Q 10, X mg each morning

[0131] A LIFESTYLE/EXERCISE

[0132] e.g. Walking

[0133] Hydrotherapy: hot/cold shower

[0134] A BOOK Recommended reading for the particular health conditionsselected, from books with factual information to personal narratives orpsychological reflections

[0135] may add links to online book retailers

[0136] A MIND & SOUL ACTIVITY

[0137] e.g. Suggestions for small acts kindness, easy guide toMeditation, keeping a dream journal, beautifying the home and Feng Shui,music, plants, etc.

[0138] SUGGESTED TESTS

[0139] for every customer the section “ASK YOUR DOCTOR if s/herecommends” is included, with medical evaluation suggestions such asblood counts, bone density check, blood pressure twice each week.

[0140] The software program underlying the health education system ofthis embodiment may be implemented in various ways. One exemplarysoftware program for implementing this system will be described below.

[0141] The following terminology will be used in the followingdiscussion of the software program that underlies this embodiment of thepresent invention: Term Definition Health a common ailment for whichcustomer seeks information Condition on alternative health measures (HC)Solution one single health measure, such as (but not limited to) aElement named herb with dose and frequency [e.g. herb ‘n’ taken (SE)twice daily with meals] or a food to eat [e.g. 1 cup 4-6 times week], ora blood test to consider asking own physician about Link a connectionfrom a “HC” to a “SE”’; each link has a different weighting Protocol agroup of “SE”s linked to each Question, and retrieved in response tosubmission of that Question

[0142] The following components will be used in the following discussionof the software program that underlies this embodiment of the presentinvention: Component Description web site conventional. Web Serverconventional; used to format and deliver pages to the customer at thewebsite. Dynamic to act like a “search engine and filter in one”. Couldbe Server located on Web Server or on separate machine. Databasecontains: (1) “Health Conditions” (with information about each fromconventional and alternative medicine perspectives: common causes,pathology, rationale for treatment approaches, etc) (2) Many individual“Solution Elements”; and/or (3) Links: Every “HC” has links to a numberof “SE”s, each link with a different weighting

[0143] The exemplary health education system of this embodiment of thepresent invention will preferably be implemented using the followingprocedures.

[0144] Initially, at the web site, the customer (user), who is someonevisiting site wanting information tailored to their request onalternative health, fills out personal information: age, gender, weight,height, activity level, and selects UserName & password, to allow futureaccess to own confidential data.

[0145] Next, a dynamic page of “Health Conditions” (no limit on futurenumber as invention evolves) relevant to the personal informationentered by the customer is presented at the website. Incompatiblequestions (e.g. requesting information for an individual with bothMenopause and prostate symptoms) are disallowed.

[0146] The customer is next prompted to select, for example, three“Health Conditions” for which they want an integrated list of the bestalternative medicine measures to cover all three. Selection is made byclicking buttons or icons or drop-down boxes. Optional in futuredevelopments of invention, further icons/clicks will (maybe at returnvisit to site) take user to second or third tier of questions, for morefocus, e.g. PMS with moodiness or headache.

[0147] These THREE “HEalth Conditions”, with all the customer's personalinfo, are submitted to the WebServer. The WebServer checks for, andeliminates, conflicts in questions (e.g. menopause & prostatitis in sameindividual). The WebServer utilizes an underlying database connectivitylayer to construct a query, including ALL customer's selected “HealthConditions” and personal information to send to the Database.

[0148] In response to the query from the WebServer, the Database thenrecognizes and retrieves the “Solution Elements”. These “SE”s arecollated and prioritized based upon the weighting of links thatretrieved them and other factors such as the number of times a SolutionElement is identified by the Protocols as being relevant. The querysubmitted would also ensure some form of conflict resolution so thatconflicting “SE”s would not be presented to customer. There would be“prohibitive links” to “SE”s disallowed, e.g. incompatible combinationsof supplements or an herb helping menopause symptoms could not beretrieved for male customer requiring information for his own health.The weights of “SE”s are additive/cumulative.

[0149] The collated and weighted “SE”s are sent back to the WebServer,which formats and creates a dynamic web page. Alternatively ActiveServer Pages may be implemented. The result (containing all the “SE”sfor this customer, ranked according to weighting) is presented to thecustomer. All data associated with a particular user may be stored inthe Database server for easy retrieval at a later time.

[0150] As an alternative to or enhancement of the first embodiment, each“Solution Element” bears several tags, each of different weighting andeach tag corresponding to one “Question” (a “Health Condition” in thisexample). When a “Question” is included in a query, the Database willretrieve all the “SE”s with a corresponding tag. The weightings of the“SE”s are additive according to the score on their tags. In the responsepresented to the customer, those with strongest cumulative weighting aregiven highest priority. This alternative or enhanced weighting processis represented in Appendix One attached hereto.

[0151] From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the presentinvention may be embodied in forms other than those specificallydiscussed above. The scope of the present invention shall be determinedby the claims appended hereto and not the foregoing detaileddescription.

I claim:
 1. A system for distributing information over communicationssystems, comprising: a question database containing a plurality ofquestions, where each question is related to the information to bedistributed; a solution database containing a plurality of solutionelements, where each solution element is related to the information tobe distributed; a set of protocols linking at least one of the questionsin the question database with at least one of the solution elements inthe solution database; a user information system for allowing a user toenter user data related to the user; a selecting system for allowing theuser to select one or more questions from the question database togenerate a set of selected questions; and a filtering system forgenerating a customized list of solution elements based on the selectedquestions, the set of protocols, and the user data such that thecustomized list of solution elements contains at least one solutionelement specifically related to the user.
 2. A system for distributinginformation as recited in claim 1, in which: the protocols furthercomprise weighting data that relate the solution elements to thequestions; and the filtering system generates the customized list ofsolution elements further based on the weighting data.
 3. A system fordistributing information as recited in claim 1, in which the filteringsystem generates the customized list of solution elements further basedon the number of times the solution elements are associated with theselected questions by the protocols.